Children, Families, and Government Control

Flashcards covering the historical evolution of child control from family to government, early juvenile institutions, demographic changes, and the impact of fertility rates on society, based on lecture notes for Chapter 1-6.

What societal shift marked the transition from family control to government control of children's behavior?

The formalization of government intervention when family or religious punishment was insufficient.

Describe the 'binding out' system for children in early US history.

Children who could not be cared for by their families were sent to do work (farm labor for boys, domestic work for girls) in exchange for being provided for, essentially like slavery and not an apprenticeship.

What were the three main categories used to describe juveniles placed in houses of refuge?

Delinquent (broke a rule), neglected (needs not met), and dependent (lacked parents/guardians).

When did youth crime become a significant political issue, and what caused it?

As more people moved to urban areas, children became economic burdens, and without mandatory schooling or jobs, they engaged in activities like stealing and forming gangs, leading to public concern.

What is the doctrine of 'parens patriae'?

The idea that the state has the responsibility to care for children who cannot care for themselves or who have broken rules, essentially taking on the role of a parent.

Who was disproportionately targeted by the juvenile justice system, including the binding out system and houses of refuge, in early US history?

Poor children, children of color, and American Indians.

What was the initial aim of 'houses of refuge' in the 1800s, and how did their reality often differ?

They aimed to rehabilitate juveniles and prevent delinquency, but by 1850, they were widely seen as more like prisons with little actual rehabilitation, exploiting inmate workers and exposing children to corrupting influences.

What was the average total fertility rate for women in the US in the 1800s, and what was the life expectancy around 1850?

The average woman had 8 children, and the life expectancy in 1850 was around 40 years.

What event caused a significant, though temporary, increase in the US fertility rate after a long period of decline?

The Baby Boom, which occurred after soldiers returned from war, leading to a surge in births.

What is the 'replacement rate' in terms of fertility, and why is it problematic when a country's fertility rate drops below it?

The replacement rate is approximately 2 children per woman (to replace the two parents). A rate below this leads to an aging population with fewer younger workers to pay taxes and support social services for older generations.

Has the US birth rate been increasing or decreasing in recent decades, and how does it compare to historical levels?

The US birth rate has been decreasing, reaching its lowest level in 35 years as of 2020, and is about as low as it's ever been in US history.

What is one proposed solution to address the economic challenges associated with a declining birth rate and aging population?

Immigration, as immigrants are often of working age and contribute to the tax base, supporting the older population.